Vacant Batavia warehouse may get new life

BATAVIA – Another holdover from the old downtown Batavia – a storage barn – is a step closer to new life after action Tuesday by the City Council.

An easement to aid in reconstruction was granted by the Council to Thompson Builds of Byron. The firm plans to convert the three-story structure, used by the C.L. Carr Co., a department store, as a warehouse.

The site – in an alley in the business district adjacent to Jackson Square, a stage for the summer concert series – will be converted into ground floor commercial space and four apartments on the upper floors.

Carr’s closed more than 10 years ago, and its Main Street store and warehouse were acquired by the city. The store was sold and the city foreclosed on the warehouse. It was given to the Batavia Business Development Corporation, which will turn it over to Thompson before renovations begin.

The Council also approved the appointment of Dawn Fairbanks, human resource specialist, to serve as the Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator, and City Manager Jason R. Molini as fair housing officer.